Michail Kyriazanos Smooth Bulldog (2017) Tobacco Pipe

Athenian by birth and raised on the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea — where he still lives today — Michail Kyriazanos started making pipes as a hobby in 2010. His first offering was a saddle-stemmed Dublin, and he sold his third pipe, a Pickaxe. By the time he reached pipe number 13, Michail was very confident in his work. He uses Greek briar from a pair of mills — one that ages it between eight and 27 years and is the "tastiest" in the world by his estimation, and one that ages it between two and four years before Michail ages it one further year for a softer, lighter-in-color appearance.

This Bulldog of Michail's just exits Nosewarmer territory with a length of 4.7 inches but packs plenty of fine grain into that length, particularly the flame grain that stretches up the walls of the bowl below the beadlines. The bowl has a nicely rounded heel, and is backed with the Bulldog's requisite diamond-shaped shank that sports some further flame grain and birdseye. The stummel is smooth and stained a light auburn that contrasts well with the jet-black of the tapered vulcanite stem. Altogether, this is a beautifully made and beautifully colored work that is sure to please any fan of the Bulldog shape.